SATURDAY

Sinatra scion: We in the desert have had the privilege of watching A.J. Lambert grow up from Frank Sinatra’s rambunctious granddaughter, who explored punk rock and produced music by her mother, classic rocker Nancy Sinatra, to someone who has embraced her grandfather’s music and sought ways to introduce it to younger generations.

Michael Holmes’ Purple Room, which features a photo of Sinatra with one of her mother’s best show biz friends, Elvis Presley, has been her laboratory of musical invention. In her last visit, she performed her grandfather’s pioneering concept album, “In the Wee Small Hours,” in its entirety. It was a wonderful treat, but I would have liked the instrumental accompaniment to have explored the jazz possibilities of the music with a little more adventurousness.

Now Lambert is doing the LP in its entirety again and we get to hear how her show has evolved after having a year of performances under her belt. She’s already bringing her grandfather’s music to the next generation as a satellite DJ for the Siriusly Sinatra channel on Sirius XM. We look forward to hearing her personality fused with that of her grandfather's.

FRIDAY

Dead again: John Mayer isn’t the only guy who can summon the spirit of Jerry Garcia and take Deadheads on a long strange trip into the realm of Grateful Dead jams. Imitation bands seem to replicate Grateful Dead music better than most other artists because they try to conjure the spirit of the music as much as the music itself.

The Grateful Shred is one such band that provides not just a nostalgic experience, but a meaningful Grateful Dead experience with musical expertise and an attitude that the dynamic with the audience is as important as the dynamic among the players. Don’t go to hear this band play “Truckin’” or “Touch of Grey.” They may not play those Dead “hits.” Go to hear this band conjure the spirit of Jerry, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh and the boys.

FRIDAY-TUESDAY

Cinderella story: The 1957 CBS-TV production of “Cinderella,” by Rodgers & Hammerstein, is one of the great unsung musical productions the in the medium's history. It starred Julie Andrews with Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostley as the mean step-sisters. It was viewed by 100 million people and Ballard considered it a career highlight. Then it disappeared. It was adapted for London’s West End as a pantomime.

In 2013, Douglas Carter Beane adapted Hammerstein’s book, giving it more contemporary comedy bits, for a Broadway run and, in 2016, it hit the road for a national production tour with four songs from the Rodgers & Hammerstein catalog added to the Broadway show. Now that tour is coming to the McCallum and anticipation is so high, president and CEO Mitch Gershenfeld booked it for seven shows.

You know the story of the girl with the right shoe size to transform into a princess. I’m excited to hear it with glorious orchestral music.

FRIDAY-DEC. 24

Lighting it up: “WildLights,” that winking, twinkling tradition of bright lights on the outskirts of the big city, is now celebrating its 25th anniversary at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. If you’ve only visited the park in the daytime, you must see it transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland. It really is a great kick-off to the holiday season.

New this year: Reindeer, real reindeer! There will be reindeer photo and feeding opportunities available for purchase every night. Wouldn’t that be a great illustration for a personalized Christmas card?

WildLights boasts more than a million colorful lights with herds of life-size, luminescent animal lanterns, including giraffe and cheetahs, G-scale model trains and lots of holiday music. There also are camel and carousel rides, and different entertainment nightly. Food and beverages are available to make this a fun family night.

WildLights, 6-9 p.m. with last admission at 8:30 p.m., The Living Desert, 47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert. $10, $8 for members, children and military with ID. (760) 346-5694

SATURDAY

Jazz lineup: The fall Grooves at The Westin series wraps up in late November because it's usually too cold to continue these patio concerts through the New Year. Who knew it would be 90 degrees for Thanksgiving, making this a perfect desert activity for the Thanksgiving weekend.

Saturday: Gerald Albright at the Westin(Photo: Submitted)

Saxophonist Gerald Albright is the headliner for this finale, and he needs no introduction to smooth jazz fans. He grew up in South Central L.A. and attended the University of Redlands – as a business management major. But he became so accomplished on saxophone and bass guitar in the 1980s, recording with the likes of Anita Baker, Ray Parker Jr. and the Temptations, he became a favorite of President Bill Clinton and played one of his inaugural parties.

Don’t hold that against him if you’re a Republican.

If you prefer straight-ahead jazz, check out Carl Saunders the same night at Pete Carlson’s Golf & Tennis. Saunders plays trumpet as fast and clearly as anyone on the planet, but he also has a fun personality that informs his playing to make him one of the world’s best all-around jazz guys.

He’ll probably be as interested in checking out the golf clubs as the sound system in that store. He’s an avid golfer. But he’s also a great scat singer who can sing the blues. His shows at Pete Carlson’s are always special.

Gerald Albright on the Grooves at The Westin series, 7 p.m., Westin Mission Hills Resort, Rancho Mirage. $40-$85 with top tier tickets including a VIP reception with the artists. (760) 770-2150

THURSDAY, NOV. 30

GRAND POP: If you’re a Ten Tenors fan, you’ve probably seen them at the McCallum Theatre. if you’re a Chris Botti fan, you’ve probably also seen him at the McCallum. Together, they’ve played the McCallum more than a dozen times. But they’re playing together at the McCallum for the first time for the theater’s 30th anniversary gala.

This is an interesting blend of pop being given grandiose operatic and jazz treatments. If you like pop, you’ll appreciate how these artists can broaden its dimensions.

The Ten Tenors and Chris Botti at the McCallum Theatre 30th Anniversary Gala, with dinner at one of four mid-valley restaurants at 6 p.m. followed by an 8 p.m. show, McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. Concert only: $100-$125. (760) 340-ARTS. Dinner and show $500, available by calling (760) 776-6186.